A novel nanoscale phase of WO3, the ferroelectric -WO3, has been synthesized by a scalable rapid solidification process and has been stabilized at high temperatures (up to 400°C). This has an acentric crystallographic configuration and a spontaneous electric dipole moment. The electrostatic interactions between -WO3 and polar molecules suggest an exceptionally strong bond of this phase for acetone. Acetone is a metabolite for diabetes in exhaled human breath with normal values of a few ppm. The sensor sensitivity reported here makes it an excellent candidate for non-invasive monitoring of diabetes in human breath (Chem Mater, 2008).

Nano-Composite Metal Oxides for Electronic NosesPerena Gouma, (SUNY-Stony Brook) DMR 0304169

Sensing probes utilizing the ferroelectric WO3 polymorph have been tested for their response to a range of hydrocarbons, from alcohols to benzene confirming that this sensor is a selective, highly sensitive, rapidly responding acetone detector.

Our NIRT team has greatly enjoyed the benefits of international collaboration. Graduate student Lisheng Wang (seen in the picture on top left) spent 4 months at ETH Zurich working on novel processes for nanostructured transition metal oxides, while enjoying the alpine surroundings. Furthermore, our NIRT team had the privilege of hosting foreign visitors, e.g. from the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, among others. Our NIRT team has been successful in graduating a significant number of doctoral candidates from underrepresented groups and has also participated in women in science and engineering focused venues, such as AAAS WISC meeting in Washington DC in September 2007. Perena Gouma is also a member of user executive committee for the Center for Functional Nanomaterials at BNL, and she is a Fulbright scholar.

Nano-Composite Metal Oxides for Electronic NosesPerena Gouma, SUNY-Stony Brook, DMR 0304169